Prosecutor Calls for Just Punishment for Attacker Who Shot PM Robert Fico

Banska Bystrica, 2 October (TASR) – The assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on 15 May last year in Handlova (Trencin region) was an attack on the fundamental principles of democracy and the stability of the state, and according to prosecutor Katarina Habcakova, the defendant Juraj C. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons] sought to reverse the policies of the current government, force its resignation, and trigger early elections. Habcakova made the statement in her closing argument on Thursday at the Specialised Criminal Court in Banska Bystrica. She proposed a "lawful and just punishment" for the defendant. Juraj C., a retired pensioner, has been charged with an aggravated crime of a terrorist attack against a protected official. He faces a potential life sentence, although the court may also impose the minimum sentence of 20 years. The prosecutor emphasised that using violence to express disagreement with government policy is unacceptable, stating that parliamentary elections are the legal means to voice political opinions. Habcakova argued that the extensive evidence presented at trial clearly proved that Juraj C. attacked the entire Slovak government as a collective body led by the prime minister. She pointed to recorded phone calls between the accused and his wife from the prison hospital in Trencin, in which he spoke of “executing” members of the government, the government's persecution of cultural and media figures, and government terror. Shortly after his arrest, during the pre-trial phase, the accused also expressed dissatisfaction with government policy, describing it as a betrayal of the European Union. There is no doubt that the deed took place and was committed by Juraj C. The only disputed issue is the legal classification of the crime. The defence has argued that the act was not terrorism, claiming the target was Fico as an individual, not the government as a whole. According to the prosecutor, the accused has not shown remorse and only changed his rhetoric after the crime was reclassified. Initially, he'd been charged with attempted premeditated murder. In July 2024, the legal classification was changed to an aggravated terrorist attack, which carries a life sentence. Juraj C.’s motive, according to the prosecution, was anger towards Fico, as highlighted during the early days of the trial, which began on 8 July. He allegedly wanted to injure Fico so that he would no longer be able to serve as prime minister. He claimed he did not intend to kill him. The attacker chose to carry out the act during an away-from-home government meeting in Handlova. When Fico approached a group of supporters, the defendant drew his legally-owned firearm and fired five shots. The trial will continue on 8 October, when further closing arguments are expected. mf/mcs